Systems and methods for communicating privacy and marketing preferences

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of managing and communicating privacy and marketing preferences are described. In particular, a system for managing and communicating comprises a central user preference center that is configured to store at least one privacy and marketing preference dataset of a user in association with account information identifying an account of the user. The central preference center is configured to publish at least one privacy and marketing preference dataset of a user to at least one entity preference center, and the at least one entity preference center is configured to communicate the user&#39;s entity preference center privacy and marketing preference dataset to the central user preference center.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/714,001, filed May 15, 2015, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORCOMMUNICATING PRIVACY AND MARKETING PREFERENCES, issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,600,085 on Mar. 24, 2020 (Atty. Dkt. No. ALNR60-34518), which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/994,116, entitledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING PRIVACY AND MARKETING PREFERENCES,filed May 15, 2014. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/714,001, U.S. Pat. No.10,600,085, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/994,116 areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The principles of “notice and choice” have been the key principles ofinformation privacy protection for several decades. These principles ofprivacy that involve the notion of individual control require sufficientmechanisms for individuals to understand where, when and under whatconditions their personal information may be used and transferred and toexercise control over data usage and transference. Therefore, thevarious sets of fair information practice principles and privacy lawsbased on these practices include requirements for providing notice aboutdata practices and allowing individuals to exercise control over thosepractices. Privacy policies and preference center based opt-outmechanisms have become the predominant tools for notice and choice.However, these tools are increasingly insufficient. Serious threatsfollow from the ease of information storage, transfer, aggregation,analysis and inference. We face the real risk that the technologicallaws spelled out by Gordon Moore (growth in processing power) and RobertMetcalfe (network effects) will permanently overwhelm existing privacyprinciples of notice and choice. Privacy policies are long, complicated,inconsistently structured and subject to frequent and unannouncedchange. Digital services often involve interactions and data exchangesthat include third parties unknown to the end user. Each digital servicerequires specific and tailored advertising preferences selections andcan change these choices and associated user selections at any time. Inthis environment, it is nearly impossible for individuals to controltheir information usage or related third-party data flows via existingprivacy policies and preference center based opt-out mechanism tools fornotice and choice.

The inherently decentralized nature of the internet, being comprised ofa multitude of digital services each with its own—advertising preferencechoices and privacy policies, does not permit acceptable transparencyfor individuals to understand where, when and under what conditionstheir personal information may be used and transferred or to exercisecontrol over data usage and transference or to hold digital services andtheir third party partners accountable for unanticipated and unapproveddata usage.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to systems and methods of communicatingprivacy and marketing preferences in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. In particular, the disclosure is directed to a computingapparatus having at least one microprocessor and memory storinginstructions configured to instruct the at least one microprocessor toperform operations. The operations comprise a central user preferencecenter that is configured to store at least one privacy and marketingpreference dataset of a user in association with account informationidentifying an account of the user. The central user preference centeris configured to publish at least one privacy and marketing preferencedataset of a user to the at least one entity preference center, and theat least one entity preference center is configured to communicate theuser's entity preference center privacy and marketing preference datasetto the central preference center.

The disclosure is also directed to a computer-implemented method. Themethod comprises storing, in a computing apparatus, data representing aprivacy and marketing preferences dataset of a user. It furthercomprises the step of communicating, by the computing apparatus, theprivacy and marketing preferences dataset of the user to an entity inresponse to an interaction between the user and the computing apparatusor the entity, where the entity stores data about the user and theprivacy and marketing preferences dataset controls storage and usage ofthe data about the user. The method further comprises the step ofproviding, by the computing apparatus, a communication channel betweenthe user and the entity to customize the privacy and marketingpreferences dataset of the user for the data about the user stored bythe entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a system to communicating privacy preferences in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic device for usermanagement of personal privacy and marketing data in accordance withsome embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative but not limiting electronicdevice for communicating personal privacy and marketing preferences inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a method of managing personal privacy and marketing data inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a method of managing personal privacy and marketing data inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In view of the challenges associated with decentralized control ofprivacy preferences, there exists a need to enable online consumers tomanage their privacy and marketing preferences across multiple platformsand entity preference centers.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides systems and methods ofcommunicating privacy and marketing preferences. The followingdescriptions are presented to enable any person skilled in the art tomake and use the invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments andapplications are provided only as examples. Various modifications andcombinations of the examples described herein will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined hereinmay be applied to other examples and applications without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention isnot intended to be limited to the examples described and shown, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed herein.

Some portions of the detailed description which follows are presented interms of flowcharts, logic blocks, and other symbolic representations ofoperations on information that can be performed on a computer system. Aprocedure, computer-executed step, logic block, process, etc., is hereconceived to be a self-consistent sequence of one or more steps orinstructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those utilizingphysical manipulations of physical quantities. These quantities can takethe form of electrical, magnetic, or radio signals capable of beingstored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in acomputer system. These signals may be referred to at times as bits,values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Eachstep may be performed by hardware, software, firmware, or combinationsthereof.

FIG. 1 shows a system for communicating personal privacy and marketingpreferences according to one embodiment. In FIG. 1, the system includesa computer 102 for a user 100 to enter personal privacy and marketingpreferences and additional user associated information into a centralpreference center 104. The central preference center (CPC) is configuredto store a user's privacy and marketing preferences or dataset 106. Asused herein, “central preference center” or “CPC” refers to a database,server, network, application, etc., that is configured to store, manage,and communicate a user's privacy and/or marketing preferences. The CPC106 also stores the user's account data or information 108 that may beassociated with the user's privacy and marketing preferences 106.

In some embodiments, the CPC 104 is coupled to a rule engine 110configured to compare the user's CPC preference dataset to the user'sentity privacy and marketing preferences 114. The user's entitypreferences dataset 114 may be received from entity preference center112, which the user 100 may optionally have managed separately viacomputer 116. As used herein, “entity preference center” refers to apreference center other than the central preference center and includes,but is not limited to, preference centers under the control of, oraffiliated with, commercial or non-commercial entities.

In some embodiments, a portal 118 is configured to receive, transmit,process, manage and/or store the user's CPC preferences and the user'sentity preference center preferences. The portal may be implemented as aweb portal, a telephone gateway, a file/data server, etc. The portal maybe operated by a trusted entity or by the user. In some embodiments theportal is not implemented via a web browser.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an illustrative electronic device 102 or116 for user management of personal privacy and marketing data 106 or114 according to one embodiment. In FIG. 2, the device or computer 102or 116 includes a memory 200 coupled to a processor 204, which controlsthe operations of an input device 206, an output device 208 and anetwork interface 210 such as wired or wireless modem with the internetand specifically with one or more remote servers, for example, the CPC104 servers having server processors accessing a server storage mediumon which is stored the user's personal privacy and marketing preferencesand logic in accordance with present principles. The memory 200 maystore instructions for the processor and/or data.

In one embodiment, the input device 206 includes key buttons that can beused to enter preferences and account information.

In one embodiment, the output device 208 may include a display, aspeaker, and/or a printer.

In one embodiment, the network interface 210 is configured tocommunicate with the CPC 104 via a telephone connection, an Internetconnection, or other data communication channel.

In one embodiment, the computer or device 102 or 116 may be anon-portable computing device or a portable computing device. Thecomputing device permits the user to input, manage and receive data fromthe CPC.

Examples of non-portable consumer devices include a computer terminal, atelevision set, a personal computer, medical devices, robotic devices,data sensors, a set-top box, a thermostat, or the like. Examples ofportable consumer devices include a portable computer, a cellular phone,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a Google glasses, wearablecomputing devices, an automobile computer, wearable medical devices, orthe like, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative but not limiting electronicdevice for communicating personal privacy and marketing preferences inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronic device 300can include control circuitry 302, storage 304, memory 306, input/output(“I/O”) circuitry 308, and communications circuitry 310. In someembodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device 300 canbe combined or omitted (e.g., storage 304 and memory 306 may becombined). In some embodiments, electronic device 300 can include othercomponents not combined or included in those shown in FIG. 3 (e.g.,motion detection components, a power supply such as a battery orkinetics, a display, bus, a positioning system, a camera, an inputmechanism, etc.), or several instances of the components shown in FIG.3. For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components isshown in FIG. 3.

Electronic device 300 can include any suitable type of electronicdevice. For example, electronic device 300 can include a portableelectronic device that the user may hold in his or her hand, such as asmartphone (e.g., an iPhone made available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif. or an Android device such as those produced and sold by Samsung).As another example, electronic device 300 can include a larger portableelectronic device, such as a tablet or laptop computer. As yet anotherexample, electronic device 300 can include a substantially fixedelectronic device, such as a desktop computer.

Control circuitry 302 can include any processing circuitry or processoroperative to control the operations and performance of electronic device300. For example, control circuitry 302 can be used to run operatingsystem applications, firmware applications, media playback applications,media editing applications, or any other application. In someembodiments, control circuitry 302 can drive a display and processinputs received from a user interface.

Storage 304 can include, for example, one or more storage mediumsincluding a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory, permanentmemory such as ROM, any other suitable type of storage component, or anycombination thereof. Storage 304 can store, for example, media data(e.g., music and video files), application data (e.g., for implementingfunctions on electronic device 300), firmware, user preferenceinformation data (e.g., media playback preferences), authenticationinformation (e.g. libraries of data associated with authorized users),lifestyle information data (e.g., food preferences), exerciseinformation data (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoringequipment), transaction information data (e.g., information such ascredit card information), wireless connection information data (e.g.,information that can enable electronic device 300 to establish awireless connection), subscription information data (e.g., informationthat keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a usersubscribes to), contact information data (e.g., telephone numbers andemail addresses), calendar information data, and any other suitable dataor any combination thereof.

Memory 306 can include cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM,and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarilystoring data. In some embodiments, memory 306 can also be used forstoring data used to operate electronic device applications, or anyother type of data that can be stored in storage 304. In someembodiments, memory 306 and storage 304 can be combined as a singlestorage medium.

I/O circuitry 308 can be operative to convert (and encode/decode, ifnecessary) analog signals and other signals into digital data. In someembodiments, I/O circuitry 308 can also convert digital data into anyother type of signal, and vice-versa. For example, I/O circuitry 308 canreceive and convert physical contact inputs (e.g., from a multi-touchscreen), physical movements (e.g., from a mouse or sensor), analog audiosignals (e.g., from a microphone), or any other input. The digital datacan be provided to and received from control circuitry 302, storage 304,memory 306, or any other component of electronic device 300. AlthoughI/O circuitry 308 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as a single component ofelectronic device 300, several instances of l/O circuitry 308 can beincluded in electronic device 300.

Electronic device 300 can include any suitable interface or componentfor allowing a user to provide inputs to I/O circuitry 308. For example,electronic device 300 can include any suitable input mechanism, such asfor example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen.In some embodiments, electronic device 300 can include a capacitivesensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensing mechanism.

In some embodiments, electronic device 300 can include specializedoutput circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example,one or more audio outputs. The audio output can include one or morespeakers (e.g., mono or stereo speakers) built into electronic device300, or an audio component that is remotely coupled to electronic device300 (e.g., a headset, headphones or earbuds that can be coupled tocommunications device with a wire or wirelessly).

In some embodiments, I/O circuitry 308 can include display circuitry(e.g., a screen or projection system) for providing a display visible tothe user. For example, the display circuitry can include a screen (e.g.,an LCD screen) that is incorporated in electronics device 300. Asanother example, the display circuitry can include a movable display ora projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface(e.g., optical displays, including head mounted displays such as digitalcontact lenses and eye glasses) remote from electronic device 300 (e.g.,a video projector). In some embodiments, the display circuitry caninclude a coder/decoder (CODEC) to convert digital media data intoanalog signals. For example, the display circuitry (or other appropriatecircuitry within electronic device 200) can include video CODECs, audioCODECs, or any other suitable type of CODEC.

The display circuitry also can include display driver circuitry,circuitry for driving display drivers, or both. The display circuitrycan be operative to display content (e.g., media playback information,application screens for applications implemented on the electronicdevice, information regarding ongoing communications operations,information regarding incoming communications requests, or deviceoperation screens) under the direction of control circuitry 302.Alternatively, the display circuitry can be operative to provideinstructions to a remote display.

Communications circuitry 310 can include any suitable communicationscircuitry operative to connect to a communications network and totransmit communications (e.g., voice or data) from electronic device 300to other devices within the communications network. Communicationscircuitry 310 can be operative to interface with the communicationsnetwork using any suitable communications protocol such as, for example,Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth, radio frequency systems(e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared,GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, LTE and other cellular protocols, VOIP,TCP/IP, Ethernet, and the like.

In some embodiments, communications circuitry 310 can be operative tocreate a communications network using any suitable communicationsprotocol. For example, communications circuitry 310 can create ashort-range communications network using a short-range communicationsprotocol to connect to other devices. For example, communicationscircuitry 310 can be operative to create a local communications networkusing the Bluetooth protocol to couple electronic device 300 with aBluetooth headset.

Electronic device 300 can include one more instances of communicationscircuitry 310 for simultaneously performing several communicationsoperations using different communications networks, although only one isshown in FIG. 3 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example,electronic device 300 can include a first instance of communicationscircuitry 310 for communicating over a cellular network, and a secondinstance of communications circuitry 310 for communicating over Wi-Fi orusing Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the same instance ofcommunications circuitry 310 can be operative to provide forcommunications over several communications networks.

In some embodiments, electronic device 300 can be coupled to a hostdevice for data transfers, synching the communications device, softwareor firmware updates, providing performance information to a remotesource (e.g., providing riding characteristics to a remote server) orperforming any other suitable operation that can require electronicdevice 300 to be coupled to a host device. Several electronic devices300 can be coupled to a single host device using the host device as aserver. Alternatively or additionally, electronic device 300 can becoupled to several host devices (e.g., for each of the plurality of thehost devices to serve as a backup for data stored in electronic device300).

At step 400 in FIG. 4, the user accesses the CPC and accesses the user'saccount data 108. In one embodiment, a user interface is provided toserve as a “personal privacy and marketing control panel,” whereindividual users record their preferences with instructions on how theusers would like their data to be used. In one embodiment, the user mayspecify which preferences may be shared with which preference centers orentities, for instance, by identifying categories of entities. Forexample, the control panel can include broad categories of entities thatthe user may be similar privacy and marketing preferences, such associal networking (e.g., Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr,Twitter); business networking (e.g., Linkedin); money managemententities (e.g., Fidelity, American Funds, Schwab, Scottrade, TDAmeritrade, T. Rowe Price, Vanguard, etc.); banking entities (e.g.,American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, WellsFargo, USAA, etc.); stores and commerce entities (e.g., Apple, Amazon,Ebay, Groupon, PayPal, Target, Walmart, etc.); email providers (Google,Microsoft, Yahoo); media and entertainment entities (Flickr, Hulu,Minecraft, Pandora, Netflix, SoundCloud, YouTube, Match.com, E-Harmony,etc.); government and tax entities (e.g., H&R Block, Intuit, etc.; andmiscellaneous entities (Dropbox, GitHub, Wordpress, etc.).

In general, users may manage their privacy preferences that cover thefollowing uses: temporal, spatial, functional, identity, social,tracking and aggregation. An illustrative example of a temporal use iswhen the entity can collect and use data from the user. An illustrativeexample of a spatial use is where can the entity collect data about theuser. An illustrative example of a functional use concerns how theentity can collect and use information about the user. An illustrativeexample of an identity use is what persona (including anonymous) is theuser when the entity interacts with the user. An illustrative example ofa social use is regarding who the entity can share information about theuser. An illustrative example of tracking use is where the user canopt-in for online activity tracking. An illustrative example ofaggregation use controls with whom the entity can aggregate user data.

Regarding social networking sites, privacy preferences may also includewho can see the user's posts, whether the user would like to reviewposts that the user is tagged in, whether the user would like to limitthe audience for the user's posts that have been shared by friends, whocan send the user friend requests or messages, whether the user wouldlike to include their email address and/or phone number with theirpreference dataset, whether the user would like to have their postslinked to a search engine, posting permissions for others regarding theuser's timeline, whether to share location information (i.e., location“check-in” by default or not), etc. Privacy settings may also includesecurity settings, and the user may select privacy/security preferencesthat include login notifications, verification preferences such as byusing the user's phone number or text to verify account access, etc.

For example regarding business networking sites, privacy preferences mayinclude whether and with whom activity broadcasts may be shared, who cansee the user's activity feed, who can view connections, what can beviewed on the user's personal or public profiles, and to select peopleto block by default, etc.

For example regarding money management or banking preference centers,the user may select whether to permit sharing of information withaffiliates and non-affiliates or the money manager or bank, storage ofcookies, flash cookies (i.e., LSOs), etc.

In one embodiment, the “personal privacy and marketing control panel”provides pre-labeled or pre-populated fields that may be marked by theuser to reflect their privacy and marketing preferences. For example, aset of baseline marketing and privacy preferences for different types ofentities may be provided.

In one embodiment, the personal privacy and marketing preferencesdatasets of a user are stored and shareable in a standardized format.

At step 402, the personal privacy and marketing preferences data isstored in association with the preference dataset of the user.

In one embodiment, the user may store multiple policies in associationwith their account information, with each preference dataset beingappropriate for the category which the entity is a member, e.g., socialnetworking, media and entertainment, business networking, etc.

In one embodiment, at least 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 ormore preference datasets may be created. In one embodiment, at least onepreference dataset is created for each preference center. In oneembodiment, the control panel permits the user to duplicate a preferencedataset. In one embodiment the duplicated preference dataset may beedited to change the user's privacy and marketing preferences. Thepreference datasets may be saved separately with unique names or titlesthat may reflect, for example, the website, preference center, and/orentity for intended use.

At step 404, the user identifies from a list of common entities suchthose identified above, among others, and can further add the name of anentity preference center or website with which the user has an accountto a searchable field. In one embodiment, the CPC maintains a databaseof entity preference centers and/or websites with which a user may havean account. The CPC may alternatively perform a search of the internetto identify the entity preference centers and/or websites and send aquery to the entity preference centers and/or websites asking if a userhas a preference dataset matching the account information recorded withthe CPC.

In one embodiment, the CPC or perhaps specifically within the controlpanel, a user may identify settings by which the preference dataset maybe communicated to the entity preference center or website.

At step 406, the CPC electronically communicates or publishes theprivacy and marketing preferences of the user in a machine readableformat to a computing device of at least one entity preference center.In one embodiment, electronic communication of the privacy and marketingpreferences of the user is automatic upon saving of the preferencedataset or within a set period of time after the preference dataset issaved, continuously, or at set intervals as determined by the user or bythe authority controlling the CPC. In one embodiment, electroniccommunication of the privacy and marketing preferences of the user tothe entity preference center or website is via secure internetconnection.

FIG. 5 shows a method of managing personal privacy and marketing data.In FIG. 5, as shown in step 500, in one embodiment, a computer apparatusof the CPC is configured to communicate with an application or computingapparatus of an entity preference center or website in order to retrievethe user's privacy and marketing preferences from the entity preferencecenter or website.

In one embodiment, a computing apparatus of an entity preference centeror website 112 is configured to communicate with a computer apparatus ofthe CPC and sends/aggregates the user's existing privacy and marketingpreferences to the CPC.

At step 502, the user's entity preference center or website's existingprivacy and marketing preferences are received by the CPC. In oneembodiment, the user's entity preferences dataset 114 is compared to theuser's personal privacy and marketing preferences dataset 106 via a ruleengine 110, see FIG. 1.

At step 504, the rule engine 110 is configured to identify differencesbetween the entity preference center preferences dataset 114 and CPCpreferences dataset 106.

At step 506, the user may manage or reconciliate differences identifiedby the rule engine 110, for instance, by permitting the user to acceptthe changes to the user's corresponding CPC personal privacy andmarketing preferences 106. In another embodiment, the user has theoption (e.g., through the control panel), to apply and optionally saveaccepted changes to other preference datasets or globally across allpreference datasets associated with the user's account.

At step 508, the updated preference datasets may be re-published to theentity preference center, substantially or identically as described bystep 406 above.

The processes discussed above are intended to be illustrative and notlimiting. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that steps of theprocess discussed herein can be omitted, modified, combined, orrearranged, and any additional steps can be performed without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

The application can be implemented by software, but can also beimplemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Theinvention can also be embodied as computer-readable code on acomputer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can include anydata storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read bya computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium includeread-only memory (“ROM”), random-access memory (“RAM”), CD-ROMs, DVDs,magnetic tape, optical data storage device, flash storage devices, orany other suitable storage devices. The computer-readable medium canalso be distributed over network coupled computer systems.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to onewith ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing apparatus having at least onemicroprocessor and memory storing instructions configured to instructthe at least one microprocessor to perform operations, the computingapparatus comprising: a central preference center configured to store atleast one privacy and marketing preference dataset of a user inassociation with account information identifying an account of the user;wherein the central preference center is configured to publish at leastone personal privacy and marketing preference dataset of a user to atleast one entity preference center; and wherein the at least one entitypreference center is configured to communicate the user's entity privacyand marketing preference dataset to the central preference center.
 2. Acomputing apparatus having at least one microprocessor and memorystoring instructions configured to instruct the at least onemicroprocessor to perform operations, the computing apparatuscomprising: a central preference center configured to store at least oneprivacy and marketing preference dataset of a user in association withaccount information identifying an account of the user; a portalconfigured to communicate with a remote computing system of at least oneentity preference center, the remote computing system configured tostore a privacy and marketing preference dataset of the user associatedwith the website; wherein the central preference center is configured topublish at least one personal privacy and marketing preference datasetof a user to the at least one entity preference center; and wherein theat least one entity preference center is configured to communicate theuser's entity preference center's existing privacy and marketingpreference dataset to the central preference center.
 3. Acomputer-implemented method, comprising: storing, in a computingapparatus, data representing a privacy and marketing preferences datasetof a user; communicating, by the computing apparatus, the privacy andmarketing preferences dataset of the user to an entity in response to aninteraction between the user and the computing apparatus or the entity,where the entity stores data about the user and the privacy andmarketing preferences dataset controls storage and usage of the dataabout the user; and providing, by the computing apparatus, acommunication channel between the user and the entity to customize theprivacy and marketing preferences dataset of the user for the data aboutthe user stored by the entity.